Illinois' head coach Bruce Weber gestures for a call as time runs out in the second half.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

With 12 minutes to go, Illinois' head coach Bruce Weber talks to his team during a timeout.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' Marcus Arnold is sandwiched by Deron Washington (13) and Coleman Collins (33) as he tries to shoot in the first half.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Virgina Tech's Coleman Collins dunks in the second half.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Warren Carter waits to bring the ball inbounds halfway through the second half when Illinois held a 12-point lead over Virginia Tech. Friday night's loss ended the UI career for Carter, who led the Illini with 15 points against Va. Tech.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' Rich McBride puts up a three-point shot in the first half.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Virginia Tech's Jamon Gordon moves around Illinois' Trent Meacham in the late stages of the game.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Bruce Weber listens to Warren Carter and Rich McBride talk about the season in the post game press conference.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' Brian Randle keeps his head down as he talks to media in the postgame locker room.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' Brian Randle throws a towel over his head after talking to the media following the Illini's 54-52 NCAA tournament defeat.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' C.J. Jackson stares off as teammate Marcus Arnold talks with the media after the game.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' Warren Carter talks to media in the locker room after the Illini were eliminated from the NCAA tournament.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' Shaun Pruitt offers his views to the refs as the game comes to an end.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Illinois' Shaun Pruitt takes a shot against Virgina Tech's Cheick Diakite (34) in the first half.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' Brian Randle reacts to the 'airball free throw' in the second half. Randle made just 1 of 5 free throws in the game.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' Brian Randle (42) and Warren Carter (41) walk off the court as the clock runs out in the game.

UI in '07 NCAA tourney

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois' C.J. Jackson (34) hugs Illinois' Brian Randle as he comes off the court at the game's end. Randle had a game-high 12 rebounds, but missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity that would have tied the game with four seconds left.